Lithgow High principal Ann Caro is having trouble planning school programs for next year. She says that between the school’s current funding projections and the government’s ‘Gonski 2.0’ plan, over a million dollars of additional funding hangs in the balance.
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“We’re working on the assumption the funding will be forthcoming because it has been made in an agreement,” Ms Caro said.
“I really don’t know what to place in funding structures.”
The principal used her column in the school’s most recent newsletter to talk plainly about the school funding announcement in this year’s federal budget, nicknamed ‘Gonski 2.0’.
“The NSW Liberal Government introduced needs-based funding from 2014. The additional funding arrives at schools as loadings allocated for equity, Aboriginality, students from non-English speaking backgrounds, students with disabilities and schools in Rural and Remote Areas,” she wrote.
“Currently there is uncertainty about the continuation of the agreed funding increase from the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government’s Gonski 2.0 proposal would mean a reduction of $1,059,472 on the agreed funding for 2018 and 2019 for Lithgow High School.
“Schools need certainty, and all young people in Australia need to access an excellent education system regardless of their family circumstances.”
What has Gonski funded at Lithgow High?
- Additional learning support teachers
- Software programs: Mathletics, VIVO, Click View, and Wheelers elibrary;
- New technological equipment
- Subsidised transport costs for excursions
- Subsidised cost of personal computers, uniforms and excursions for students of families in financial hardship
- Literacy, numeracy and culture and heritage programs for Aboriginal students
- Technology training for teachers
- Tutors for senior students
According to Ms Caro the additional funding the school has received has delivered tangible results, including the best HSC results since 2011.
“We are in receipt of quite a lot of additional funding now. Our school, like all Lithgow schools, has a number of disadvantaged kids,” Ms Caro said.
“The additional funding we were to access in 2018-2019 was bringing us up to the school resource standard, the agreed resource standard every student in Australia should access. It’s meant to bring every student to a level playing field.”
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has defended ‘Gonski 2.0’ saying it was time to stop debating the original Gonski funding agreement which was terminated by the Liberal Government three years ago.
“Our plan is about giving all Australian schools a fair go and wiping away the 27 special deals Labor signed up that trashed the recommendations of David Gonski and his panel of experts,” Minister Birmingham said
Ms Caro said she did not know how much funding the school would receive in the next two years, nor when the school will be told.
“It’s a bit hazy. The COAG (Council of Australian Governments) meeting has been delayed yet again until early June. I think we will find out in term three or four,” she said.
“We need to know the funding for next year. It is a significant amount funding so it does make it difficult.”
